Director Anubhav Sinha wrote, "Is this a year of deaths? So many people just moving on to the other side. RIP Mr Hangal."

"The real grand old man of Hindi cinema Mr AK HANGAL. Thank you for some iconic moments you gave us," posted actor Gulshan Devaiah.

Jitendra Raghuvanshi, National General Secretary of IPTA said that in the demise of A K Hangal, who was the National President of the theatre association, said the country had lost a "great artist and patriot".

"Hangal had given all his time and resources to theatre, films and social service, doing nothing for himself. Immediately after the death of his daughter-in-law in 1994, he went straight to the studios to complete his assignments," said Raghuvanshi. (Agencies)